Tongue-switch.



I j PATENTED 001-30, 1906.. I F. NATHBRQ TONGUE SWITCH.

"LTILIOATIOH FILED MAR. 23. 1905.

P (rm/um.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANCIS NATHER, OF JOHNSTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR THE LORAIN STEELCOMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

TONGUE-SWITCH- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 30, 1906.

Application filed March 23, 1905. Serial No. 251,685.

and useful Improvement in Tongue-Switches,

of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description,reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part ofthis specification.

My invention has relation to certain new and useful improvements intongue-switches, and is designed to provide means for preventing thetongue from hammering down at its heel portion under the blows ofpassing car-wheels.

With this object in view my invention consists in the novelconstruction, arrangement, and combination of parts, all substantiallyas hereinafter described, and pointed out in the appended claims,reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is aplan view of a portion of a tongue-switch, Fig; 2, a longitudinalsection through the heel portion thereof, and Fig. 3 a transversesection on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1.

The letter A designates the body portion of the switch structure, and Bthe movable point or tongue, having the heel pin or pivot I), providedwith a bearing at a in said body portion. These parts may be of anyapproved type of construction. As shown, the structure is also providedwith a portion O of harder material, which forms the pocket for thetongue and the head portion of the switch structure. Formed in thebottom part of the heel portion of the body A below the tongue-pinbearing is a cavity or chamber D, open at one side, as indicated at d.Placed in this cavity, embedded in some suit able supporting andretaining material F, which can be poured around it in a fluid state, isa bearing-piece E, of hard metal, upon the upper surface of which reststhe lower end of the pin B.

In assembling the structure after; the tongue has been properly fittedto its seat the bearing-piece E is placed in position, and thesupporting and retaining metal F is poured about it. The material usedfor this purpose should be one whose resistance to compression I isrelatively high and which has sufficient resistance to stand thepounding action which the tongue receives in service. I have foundspelter to be well adapted for the purpose, but other material may beused.

The purpose of the piece E is to receive the downward thrusts of thetongue-pin, and thus relieve to a considerable extent thebearing-surface underneath the heel of the tongue from the effects ofsuch thrusts, which tend to rapidly cut away such bearing-surface.

My invention contemplates, broadly, the use of a bearing held againstthe lower end of a tongue-pin. This bearing may be provided in otherways than that shown. Hence I do not wish to be limited to such specificem bodiment of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a tongue-switch, the combination with the movable tongue having aheel pin or pivot, of a bearing-piece retained in the switch structurein contact with the lower end of said pin or pivot and arranged toreceive the downthrusts of the latter.

2. In a tongue-switch, the combination with a body portion having apocket for a movable tongue, a bearing for the tongue pin or pivot, anda chamber or cavity below said pin or pivot, of a bearing-piece in saidchamber or cavity adapted to receive the downthrusts of the said pin orpivot.

3. In a tongue-switch, the body portion having a bearing for the tonguepin or pivot, the chamber or cavity below said bearing, thebearing-piece in said chamber or cavity, and the retaining andsupporting material for said bearing-piece.

4. A tongue-switch having its tongue pin or pivot provided with a bottomhearing which can be adjusted to said pin or pivot and secured in suchadjustment after the tongue has been seated.

In testimony whereof I have aflixed my signature in presence of twowitnesses.

FRANCIS NATIIER.

